This is my
tribute to our Aussie working dogs,
Who give
their best in dust and heat, in snow and mountain fog;
They’ll
tend their sheep or cattle til their pads are red with blood,
Over hot
and blistering ground, through burrs and outback flood.
They ask no
special favour like food or brush or comb;
Just to
work and give their all, be with you ‘ere you roam.
When the
stock is bedded for the night, and you curl up near the fire,
That
gallant heart and watchful eye, just never seems to tire.
He lies
there, head stretched on his paws, and checks each tiny sound,
Until the
sun comes breaking through, and the stock starts milling ‘round.
Another day
of parching heat, of lonely outback trails,
They’ll
stand and fight a maddened steer, meeting death there face to face,
Or gently
herd that sick old ewe to a safer resting place.
Their eyes
hold love and wisdom, the like I’ve never seen.
These three
breeds are on their own for a top-notch Aussie team.
MY hat’s
off to the Cattle Dog, the red one and the blue;
And you
little "Kelpie", and the man-sized job you do;
And the
faithful Border Collie with his motto, Job Well Done;
Our own
Australian Working Dogs from the land of the burning sun.
(Mrs. M.
Cleary)
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